Service

Social Ministries at LCH

“In so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.”Matthew 25:40

Ministry is a shared activity by all members and friends in the congregation. We minister to each other, to our island community, our nation, and the world. Participation in the Ministry of Service enables us to actively express the values of unconditional love exemplified in the ministry of Jesus himself. We welcome, feed, teach, and care for those in need at home and abroad.

The Social Ministry Committee, a lay group, meets several times yearly to plan service projects and activities. The committee welcomes new members, and encourages participation by all members and friends in the many opportunities for service. Such outreach is an expression of faith in action.

Service to the Honolulu Community

Institute for Human Services (IHS)

Volunteers slice meatloaf and prepare to serve the guests at IHS

For over 25 years, LCH has shopped for, prepared, and served a special dinner on the third Friday of each month for over 300 of Honolulu’s homeless. The cost is underwritten by the LCH budget and by a grant from the German Benevolent Society of Hawaii. Shoppers, cooks, and servers are needed each month.In this picture, volunteers slice the meatloaf and prepare to serve the guests at IHS.To learn more about the Institute for Human Services, visit their website at <www.ihshawaii.org>.

ELCA Hukilau Food PantryThe ELCA Congregations on Oahu maintain a foodbank administered by the Angel Network at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church, located on Kalanianaole Highway in Aina Haina. LCH members bring nonperishable food on Sunday morning to contribute to the food pantry. Contributions are welcome at all times, but a special effort is made for the first Sunday of each month.

LCH Benefit ConcertsOver the years, the congregation’s budget has underwritten benefit concerts presented by the LCH Choir, soloists, and orchestra. Almost $40,000 has been raised and donated to community human service agencies. Special support has been given to Institute for Human Services (homeless services), Kokua Kalihi Valley (immigrant services), and Save the Foodbasket (HIV/AIDS services). Volunteers are welcome to assist with organization and hospitality.

Operation Backpack

Youth from LCH and other congregations take a break from sorting items gathered in fall 2007.

A joint venture of Oahu Lutherans and Episcopalians, Operation Backpack encourages congregations to collect a wide range of toiletries, health aids, non-perishable foods, and other items for distribution to the elderly and homeless. Operation Backpack has two collection drives a year.In this picture, youth from LCH and other congregations take a break from sorting items collected during the fall 2007 ingathering.

Hawaii Meals on WheelsFounded in 1979 by LCH members and other concerned Honolulu residents, HMOW delivers hot meals to the homebound. LCH members continue to participate in this vital ministry to our community. Two hours, one day a week and you, too, can become a Meals on Wheels volunteer.

Hawai‘i Wounded Warriors ProgramThe Hawai‘i Wounded Warrior Program assists Marines who have been injured in combat or are seriously ill with the sudden transitions they face physically, mentally, and professionally. Chaplain Steve Jensen, former LCH interim pastor, coordinates this program.Find out more about the Hawai‘i Wounded Warriors Program at <www.LCHwelcome.org/WW>.

One Pot One HopeLCH participates with other Hukilau ELCA congregations on O‘ahu in the mission outreach project One Pot One Hope. On the last Saturday of the month, volunteers from all congregations prepare lunches for the homeless in Wai‘anae. The lunches consist of chili and rice, fresh fruit, granola bars, and water, and most recently, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.A consistent group of LCH volunteers helps to feed between 100 and 125 people each month. On the last Saturday of each month the carpool leaves LCH at 9:15 AM and returns around 1:00 PM. In addition to helping out on the last Saturday, members can support this mission outreach project by bringing donations of designated items (gallon-sized cans of chili from Costco, fruit, granola bars, bottled water, peanut butter, jelly, and recycled grocery bags) and checks (payable to “One Pot One Hope”) to church on the third Sunday of the month. See Peggy Anderson for more information.Photos from a recent Saturday are available in the One Pot One Hope slideshow.

Service to the Nation and the World

Outreach beyond our state is given financial support through several yearly projects and fund raising activities. National and international agencies we have partnered with include:

ELCA World Hunger and Disaster ReliefOur contributions to these ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, our parent body, help people around the world who may suffer from tsunami and earthquakes, droughts and famine, disease and other life-threatening events or conditions. World Hunger also engages in long-range development projects to improve quality of life.To learn more about these ministries of the ELCA, visit their website at <www.elca.org/hunger> or<www.elca.org/disaster>.

Bread for the WorldThis interfaith organization lobbies the US Congress for fair food policies. Such legislation includes funding the federal budget for WIC, food stamps, and job training for welfare recipients, as well as foreign food aid.To learn more about Bread for the World, visit their website at <www.bread.org>.

Jubilee MinistriesLCH is a Jubilee congregation, working with Jubilee USA to reduce or cancel crippling foreign debt for the poorest of the world’s nations. Cancellation of foreign debt enables these countries to put their meager resources into education and medical care for their own people.To learn more about Jubilee Ministries, visit their website at <www.jubileeusa.org>.

Heifer InternationalThrough yearly children’s benefit concert, LCH has floated five ARKS at $5,000 each. Heifer provides farm animals, training, and community development to needy families in the US and abroad. Recipients experience improved nutrition and educational and employment opportunities. And as the offspring are passed on to others in these struggling communities, the benefits extend far beyond the initial animal.To learn more about Heifer International, visit their website at <www.heifer.org>.

Augusta Victoria HospitalThis ministry of Lutheran World Federation, operating in strife-torn East Jerusalem and village clinics, offers a Christian witness through advanced medical care for Palestinian civilians and all in need. AVH is the only source of treatment for Palestinians in need of care for diabetes, dialysis, cancer treatment, and heart conditions.To learn more about Augusta Victoria Hospital, visit their website at <www.avh.org>.